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“The Thing” – Storyboard to Film Comparison

If you haven’t figured it out through previous posts of mine, I’m fascinated by the ingenuity and brilliance of film directors and the people they work with. I’m biased, but I do think that film is by far the most challenging and rewarding of the arts. It’s one of the only art forms that can easily transcend societal barriers. The only other art I’d consider to have such an effect is music, but what’s unique about cinema is that it’s inclusive of all art forms. You will find that the fine arts, music, photography, and writing all play an integral role in the creation of a quality film.

Still from the The Thing (1982)

Take for example, The Thing (John Carpenter, 1982). Artist Michael Ploog crafted two of the most visually stunning scenes via beautifully drawn storyboards. In the video below (thanks to Vashi Visuals), you can see the comparison between Ploog’s highly impressive drawings and the brilliant special effects and cinematography of the actual film.

Excellent film, and all with practical effects. I think it’s Carpenter’s best.

mannyfurious

One of my favorites. Maybe even top 5. Also the best argument against the overabundance of CGI. The practical effects are 10 times more effective than anything I’ve ever been done on a computer. Which makes Carpenter’s defense of CGI all the more exasperating.

Dingbert

I forget which Troma movie or commentary it was where Lloyd Kaufman said that the golden age of Hollywood was 1974 to 1992, but he was damn right. Fuck CGI.

Anarchy Pony

I think the best is when cgi and practical are effectively blended, a la Jurassic park.

mannyfurious

CGI can work well. Guys like Nolan and Fincher know how to integrate it. Even Spielberg’s gone the way of just making everything a computer image, now. The difference between the VFX in Jurassic Park and Indiana Jones: Crystal Skull is ridiculous.